Drive-by Ocotillos

And a few more plants deserving attention.

I left my camera at my place when I drove to my first mountain bike ride in weeks. Tragedy, on both accounts. But when I returned and stretched (which I also forgot to do), I grabbed my camera and retraced my route.

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5 Replies to “Drive-by Ocotillos”

The most ocotillos, and the broadest and tallest, that I’ve ever seen are in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Billions and billions and billions of them. With over 600,000 acres, it’s the largest state park in California and the second-largest state park in the nation.

I saw some large ocotillos there, but didn’t explore enough all my times years ago, sticking to the W end of the park. I only have a photo of a larger one. Yes, Carl Sagan’s would use that number to describe how many are there!

I’m betting deer leave ocotillo alone, but I don’t have the space to give one the room it deserves. I do have one cholla and am continually struggling to find it a suitable spot, away from foot traffic, with room to grow. I might try potting it up and placing it out front with the portability intended to allow me to do work safely in proximity. I feel that would only work short term though.

Ocotillo and cholla – while I deeply admire the form of both, they aren’t easily worked into a suburban garden setting. Which is one reason these photos are so attractive to me – showing me what I don’t and potentially ought not try to have!

I think you’re right on deer leaving them alone, and they are one of the few plants our killer conejos (rabbits) leave alone during drought. I used to have silver chollas in (3) black glazed pots – just 4′ back from the dining chairs! You’d be surprised how they can work in, but they do need space…maybe as a unique focal point?

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Nikon Coolpix S3700 handheld camera or iPhone 7, and rarely a print (remember those?) using the scan function on my HP Officejet 7612. I do minimal or no processing, treat light and shadow as my friends, because I’m in the desert I often shoot into the sun even midday with no regrets, but I first capture the big picture.